Destruction of the Dead Sea

Dead Sea is the lowest point on the planet and one of the most unique environments around the world. It lies on the borders of Jordan, the West Bank and Israel. Known for its high-density waters and mineral rich soils, the Dead Sea is visited by a large number of tourists from all over the world. Its soils contain minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, and salt.These minerals are used in cosmetics, chemical products such as industrial salts and are even used in table salts for home use.

State of the Affairs

The once mineral-rich Dead Sea has shrunk to the size of a small and pitiful pond. Water levels have been dropping at a rate of 1 meter per annum. Currently it lies 1,300 feet below sea level and if the rate of decline continues it will reach 1,800 feet below sea level before the end of the century. This sharp decline is due to the over-exploitation of its minerals, the use of its water for desalination, and the large increase in agriculture in both Jordan and Israel.

Many environmental casualties have been associated with the rapid retreat in the shoreline of the Dead Sea. An example is the emergence of sinkholes. Many residential areas and roads around the Dead Sea have been destroyed because of sinkholes. Sinkholes are natural depressions in the Earth’s surface caused by the chemical dissolution of nutrients in the soil.These sinkholes endanger the livesof locals and tourists alike.

In an attempt to save the Dead Sea, the governments of Jordan and Israel plan to implement a project called the “Red to Dead Water Conveyance Plan” which involves building of a pipeline that connects both the Red and the Dead Sea and pumping around two thousand million cubic meters (mcm) of water per year into the latter which is equivalent to the water produced by 60 desalination plants in a day. However, many scientists are skeptical of this project due to the many problems that would arise including:

The different densities and minerals in the waters would cause algal blooms that would be detrimental to the environment while also causing the water to turn red/green.

Large water withdrawal from the Red Sea would have a detrimental effect on the coral reefs, sea level, and nutrient levels.

The pipeline carrying the water from the Red to the Dead Sea might leak salt water into groundwater reserves along its route thereby increasing salinity in both the groundwater and the surrounding soil.

On the basis of these apprehensions it seems that this project would do little to help rectify the problem and might even add to it. An alternative way to save the Dead Sea would be to rehabilitate the Jordan River. As it stands today, only 50 mcm of water from the Jordan River reaches the Dead Sea as opposed to 1.3 billion cubic meters in 1950.

The Jordan River is a shadow of what it once was. The river acts as the main water source for Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank. As a result, 90% of the fresh water that replenishes it is diverted to agriculture. Another problem facing it is pollution from agricultural and wastewater run-offs. About 50% of the agricultural run-offs from the surrounding areas are dumped into the river which has caused its water levels to drop dramatically.

Unfortunately, with limited sources of water, it will be difficult to ask concerned governments to stop relying heavily on the Jordan River. Some of the actions that governments may initative include:

Improve irrigation systems and abandon the traditional systems that waste more than 25% of the water that is used.

Renovate pipe systems in cities to reduce the number of leaks from the pipelines and to supply clean drinking tap water for the public.

Plant local plants, which do not require much water and refrain from planting water intensive plants (e.g. rice).

Harvest rainwater by manufacturing storage Pillars or tanks.

The Dead Sea has a geological importance in the region, and has many important aspects that make it significant. It is the saltiest and most mineral rich water body in the world. It also has a biological importance as it is home to many unique biological bacteria that are not present anywhere else on Earth. Regenerating the Jordan River, less water desalination, and improving water management practices will help regenerate the Dead Sea and help maintain this unique and important environment.

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About Amir Dakkak

Amir Dakkak, a Palestinian from East Jerusalem, is an Environmental Scientist at AECOM. His main passion is water scarcity and water sustainability in the MENA region. He runs the blog Water Source that addresses water problems and sustainability. Amir has worked with Emirates Environmental Group on various environmental issues including water scarcity.

8 Responses to Destruction of the Dead Sea

It is important to factor in regional carrying capacity if we want to avoid disasters like this one. I remember when I worked near the Dead Sea back in 1980, people were already talking about reduced replenishment rates but little or no action seems to have been taken. The Dead Sea is a unique ecosystem that must be preserved but not at the cost of another one e.g. the Red Sea. Surely the common sense solution is to use IWRM as the main pillar for any solution.

Amir, that is good to know, BUT: “It lies on the borders of Jordan, the West Bank and Israel.”; West Bank? SD be replaced by “Palestine”; here and elsewhere in your article.

Other major point: Dead sea can only be revitalized by stopping “now” the [ALL] industrial activities on both sides IL and JO. Return the natural base flow from Tiberius lake. No problem of having the brine from desalination plants along the river from both sides; BUT raw wastewater MUST stop now. Wish part of many master plans for the JR to come true! When, God knows alone!

In 2002 I opted out of a chance to float in the Dead Sea like other members of my group chose to do. Later, I read of the raw sewage that flowed into the sea. Have you posted a warning there to inform the tourist and is it in plain view?

Tiberius was extremely low that year and fluctuates with annual rainfall. I was impressed with the collection of water for agricultural use and the drip irrigation of palm trees at Ein Gedi.

Do not spend resources on the Dead Sea! Use the money to help the people in the area that need it. That sea is dead, these people need to live, help them not some pie in the sky sea that seems important because its always been there and a few think it is important for small reasons of their own! Please!

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The legendary Dead Sea has been shrinking for the last 40 years by as much as 1m a year mostly due to water diversion of the Jordan River, mainly by Israel and to a lesser extent Jordan. This decline in the Dead Sea levels causes a variety of environmental, social, and economic harm to the surrounding countries by affecting the tourism industry, and destroying one of the world’s most distinct habitats. The surrounding countries have come to realize the severity of its destruction and have acted accordingly to mitigate its depletion. Recently, Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority have signed … Continue reading →

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The news headlines read that the Dead Sea is dying so fast that it could totally disappear by the middle of this century. With the waters dying up, the exposed land is cracked and salt encrusted. Sinkholes are appearing as well and adding to the level of natural destruction. The rate of this process is being monitored by measuring the rate at which the water line is retreating. It is presently receding at the rate of one meter each year. The Dead Sea region is of great importance to three main religious groups: Jews, Muslims and Christians. The Dead Sea … Continue reading →

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